PM Departs for Russia Tomorrow, Carries Agenda to Secure National Oil Supply

MUAR : The agenda to secure the nation’s energy supply remains the government’s priority as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to undertake a working visit to Kazan, Russia tomorrow for an important meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

Anwar said the visit, which involves a meeting between ASEAN leaders and the Russian leadership, will be utilised to ensure the sustainability and guarantee of oil supply to Malaysia.

“Among the things I want to emphasise when I meet Putin is to ensure that oil can also be channelled to us… this is our good relationship with them,” he said in a speech at a tea reception with the fishing community, farmers and local residents at the Pantai Leka Food Court here today.

He said this proactive step is important to ensure the country has a long-term energy supply guarantee, besides avoiding a supply crisis that has begun to affect several neighbouring countries in the ASEAN region, to the extent that some have been forced to close petrol stations.

The Prime Minister said good economic management and strong international relations have enabled Malaysia to maintain domestic retail fuel prices, particularly RON95, at RM1.99 per litre, which is among the lowest in the world.

He also expressed concern over geopolitical tensions in West Asia following the conflict involving Israeli and United States attacks on Iran, which have led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Anwar said any disruption to that strategic maritime route would have a direct knock-on effect on the domestic economy through a rise in global oil prices.

The Prime Minister said, however, he had received the latest information from Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, which suggested that the armed conflict might be resolved in the near future.

“Yesterday, I received information from the Pakistan Prime Minister, he said they might sign (an agreement) perhaps on Friday to end the war.

“Let us pray because if not, the Strait of Hormuz will be closed… the impact will reach Malaysia, (fuel) prices will rise… today, (fuel) prices have started to drop slightly,” he said.

Bernama